Yuma Crossing

Yuma Crossing is a historic ford across the Colorado River where natural granite outcroppings narrowed the waterway. This natural feature created an ideal location for people and goods to cross from one bank to the other.

Spanish explorers found this crossing in 1540 and recognized its importance for travel. Over the following centuries, it remained a crucial passage for people moving toward the west.

The crossing became a meeting place where different groups encountered one another daily. Trade, movement, and cultural exchange shaped how people used and understood this spot over time.

This site is connected to nearby historic parks through walking routes and can be explored on foot. Come prepared for heat and wear comfortable shoes for walking around the area.

Rope ferries at this spot carried tens of thousands of gold seekers across during the California Gold Rush. This intense period of crossings transformed it into a vital hub for westward movement.

Location: Arizona

GPS coordinates: 32.72861,-114.61556

Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:47